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The Dublin Homicides #4

Lethal in Small Doses

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DUBLIN DETECTIVES RACE TO TRACK A SERIAL KILLER TARGETTING CARE HOMES

When an elderly resident of a care home passes away during the night, little is thought of it. But when a routine investigation turns up an anomaly, suspicions are raised.

DI Fiona Moore follows her instincts that it is death by foul play and launches a murder inquiry. It is not long before there is a similar death.

Concerned that they have a serial killer on their hands, DI Moore is nudged off her central role by her boss. Frustrated, but determined to bring the care home killer to justice, she pursues her lines of inquiry.

Unfortunately, DI Moore is up against a particularly reckless individual. Having established their identity, if not their motive, the race is on to stop them acting again.

210 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2020

433 people are currently reading
79 people want to read

About the author

David Pearson

33 books117 followers
One of Ireland's most prolific crime writers, David has a total of 24 books published to date across four separate series.

The Galway Homicides - set in and around Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Dublin Homicides - a grittier set of 6 stories set in the capital of Ireland

The Wexford Homicides - introducing DI Vikki Kirkby

The Mayo Murders - a new series set in and around Westport in County Mayo featuring DI Martin O'Shea and DS Deirdre Maguire.




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5 stars
442 (44%)
4 stars
351 (35%)
3 stars
155 (15%)
2 stars
30 (3%)
1 star
12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
531 reviews8 followers
August 21, 2020
A good story that I would have enjoyed more without the violence against a police officer.
I particularly appreciated the insurance aspects having spent over 25 years in the industry. They are well written. And, being an older woman thinking about moving to residential care, the descriptions of the care homes, especially that geared for academics, were fun. Although kudos for also showing the uglier side of residential care too.
Profile Image for MikeR.
326 reviews11 followers
April 29, 2025
The fourth installment of the Dublin Homicide Squad series could be more aptly titled the DI Fiona Moore series, as she takes center stage once again in this gripping narrative, while her colleague, DI Aidan Burke, is on holidays.

Pearson's writing is succinct and engaging, making this a quick read; there are no drawn-out descriptions, and the dialogue is sharp and to the point, capturing the urgency of the investigation. This entry maintains the British procedural writing but leans towards a "cozy mystery" style.

The plot unfolds as Dublin detectives confront a chilling serial killer who is preying on vulnerable residents in care homes after the suspicious death of an elderly individual during the night. DI Fiona Moore, alert to the signs of foul play, promptly initiates a murder inquiry. However, her superior officer redirects the case, sidelining her from the lead role and summoning DI Burke back from his holiday.

As the investigation unfolds, she identifies the suspect and uncovers their motive, racing against time to prevent further attacks. The case not only emphasizes the critical need for thorough investigation but also showcases the pursuit of bringing criminals to justice.
Profile Image for Anna Willett.
Author 24 books881 followers
August 23, 2020
Lethal in Small Doses is the latest of David Pearson’s Dublin Series featuring DS Fiona Moore. A serial killer targeting vulnerable woman in aged care facilities has DS Moore racing to bring the culprit to justice before the body count rises. Couldn’t put this one down until the last page.
Person is a consummate storyteller. He weaves a winning mystery and uses likeable and realistic characters. A fantastic read!
Profile Image for Rebecca .
633 reviews3 followers
July 27, 2020
This is the first book in this series that I have read but it won’t be the last. I loved the Dublin setting. Elderly ladies are being murdered in care homes around the city and the police are under pressure to find the killer before he strikes again. Fast paced and easy to read it kept me hooked to the end.
29 reviews
August 17, 2020
Clever!

If this were a tv series, my comment would be: great ensemble cast! The characters are well developed and work closely together to solve crimes. This crime, seemingly random requires all the skills of the team and is an unusual plot.

Please, David Pearson, write more Irish mysteries featuring these characters! I have read all of them!
Profile Image for Marie Shirley Griffin.
808 reviews10 followers
September 4, 2020
Not impressed

Full disclosure: I am 50% Irish (enough to get citizenship), although I have never visited, spent most of my life traveling courtesy of the Navy/dad. That said -

This book depicts the Irish Police as dumb bunnies (or so undermanned, leaning towards this, they really don't stand a chance) ... In any case, there's little to recommend reading this.
268 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2022
This is my first book in the author’s Irish mystery collection. What fun to read about the streets I had been on when visiting Ireland.
The characters are down to earth. It’s not billed as a cozy mystery but I would label it as such.
A gentle sit back in Ireland and the small town police force - enjoy.
1,181 reviews6 followers
July 31, 2020
Another great story

Another great story by David Pearson featuring the Irish detectives. These stories are so well written that they just flow along and before you know it you have finished it. I hope that there are a lot more to come.
1,908 reviews17 followers
August 2, 2020
Excellent!

Great police procedural set in Dublin. Each murder mystery is very different and unique in its plot and investigation. Team work well together and work until case is solved and murderer is found. Getting him convicted is more hard work.
Profile Image for R.L..
Author 5 books48 followers
February 5, 2021
I liked the action in the plot. I felt the dialogue was stilted and that distracted me during reading. The idea of someone sneaking into skilled nursing homes and doing in little old ladies was done well. The reasons for the killings was understandable. I do like the characters.
Profile Image for Kamlesh Gandhi.
204 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2022
Engrossing
Pearson writes with a flair to the point no long winded description of the surroundings dawns and dusks etc. Conversation too are to the point
The narration was very good ( it was an audiobook)
20 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2023
A great read.

Once again David Pearson continues to entertain the reader with consistently good stories and characters.Following on from the Galway homicide series the Dublin series equally good.
278 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2020
Very much like this new series......waiting for the next book!
107 reviews
July 12, 2023
The Dublin Homicides

Whilst the series so far is good, unfortunately for me it is to similar the the Galway Series by the same author
31 reviews
August 17, 2023
Love this Irish police series

The characters were well developed. Plots kept my interest up. I am looking forward to reading all books in this series!
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,352 reviews14 followers
August 28, 2023
Oh my gosh!!! I could not put this book down it was so interesting kept me on the edge of my seat!!
4 reviews
November 6, 2023
Very good

Kept my attention. Once I got into it it was hard to put the book down.I enjoyed it very much.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,682 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2025
This was a good read, we have the main character on vacation so the 2nd in command is following the leads.
Profile Image for Susan Green.
524 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2025
An intriguing investigation of women's deaths in retirement homes. Once again, it's Fiona who does most of the investigating.
101 reviews
October 4, 2020
If you want a very simple light hearted crime read , then you might enjoy it, wasn't for me, too much of a basic story.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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